Hurricane Irma prompts Florida theme parks to close
Florida's major theme parks are planning to close as Hurricane Irma approaches the state.
Officials at Walt Disney World (DIS) in Orlando announced Friday afternoon that its parks will close on Saturday and remain closed through Monday.
Universal Orlando (CMCSA) announced on its website that it will close at 7 p.m. Saturday and will remain closed through Monday. Officials said they anticipate reopening on Tuesday.
SeaWorld (SEAS) in Orlando and Busch Gardens, which is in Tampa, also announced plans to shut down at 5 p.m. Saturday and remain closed through Monday.
Last October, the theme parks also closed down for Hurricane Matthew, which skirted Florida's southeast coast.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott is warning that residents in South Florida only have hours left to evacuate.
Scott on Friday told residents from seven counties that they should leave by midnight or should not get on the road.
"If you are planning to leave and do not leave tonight, you will have to ride out this extremely dangerous storm at your own risk," Scott said.
Hurricane Irma is expected to rip into the state over the weekend. The looming threat of the dangerous storm has triggered a massive evacuation. Those trying to flee have encountered traffic jams and there have been fuel shortages, especially in south Florida.
Scott has urged Floridians for days to heed evacuation orders, but he has also told residents they don't need to leave the region, but instead to seek out nearby shelters.
As Hurricane Irma closes in on Florida, experts urge every precaution be taken to make sure one vulnerable population is not forgotten: senior citizens.
According to the U.S. Census bureau, nearly 1 out of 5 Florida residents is over the age of 65 — the highest proportion of any state — and health officials warn they may face special difficulties in an emergency situation.
